Hay carrier and elevator track



.(No Model.)

J.E.PORTBR. HAY OARRIER AND ELEVATOR TRACK.

Patented Feb. 4, 1896.]

UNITED STATES ATENT Tricia.

JOSEPH E. PORTER, OF OTTAWVA, ILLINOIS.

HAY CARRIER AND ELEVATOR TRACK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 554c,l98,'dated February 4, 1896. Application filed May 10, 1892. Serial No. 432,494. (No model.)

tion of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention consists in a combination in a novel stop-block or knocker, with a suspended or elevated hay-carrier track having an upper and a lower head, vertical web, and intermediate horizontal flanges for the Wheels of the carrier to run upon; and its objects are to provide a stop-block which is adapted by its construction forbein g fitted upon the lower head of the track and clamped thereon, while the suspending-supports are connected to the upper head of the track, this construction and combination of stop-block or knocker and track being such that the stop-block can be so arranged with respect to the flanges on which the carrier-wl1eels run that it can be readily applied without perforating the rail or track, and when applied is out of the way and may be adjusted to any position on the track desired by simply relaxing the confining-screws and moving the knocker or block to the desired position and again turning up said screws sufliciently to clamp the block or knocker to the under head of the track. The suspending supports for the track, which are connected to the upper head thereof, can be so applied as not to interfere with the adjustment of the block, the peculiar form of the track, and the fact that the said supports engage its upper head and the stop-block its lower head, permitting this. The construc tion of the knocker or stop-block is such that the upper shoulders of the under head support the knocker or stop-block, while the confining-screws can be passed through the knocker and made to bind against the lower head, which screws, when loosened, and the form of the track permit the knocker or stop-block to be moved to the desired position without any obstruction being offered toit.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of my improved hay carrier head E2 and elevator track. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same with the improved stop-block or knocker applied to it and also showing suspending-hooks. Fig. 3 is a transverse section in the line 00 a: of Fig. 2, showing the wheeled carrier applied upon the improved track; and Fig. at is a perspective view of the improved stop block or knocker.

A in the drawings represents the upper vertical web and B the head thereof.

O O are the horizontal flanges at the base of the web A, said flanges serving as the means for the wheels cl of the carrier H to travel upon. A track very similar to that formed by the parts A, B and O is common. This track I have improved by extending downwardly from the flanges O C an additional vertical web D and terminating this web in a head E, as represented in the drawings. The two webs are in the same vertical plane, and consequently the heads are in the same vertical plane. By constructing the track with two webs and two heads its stiffness and strength are greatly enhanced, and in addition thereto provision is made by means of the lower head for an improved stopblock or knocker F to be attached to the track and thereby avoiding the inconvenience and expense of riveting the block to the rail and weakening the rail by punching holes through it.

The stop-blockor knocker comprises an upper clasping portion F,which is in the form of the head E, it having two curved inwardlyturned flanges a a, which nearly abut against the web D on each side, and hang upon the upper shoulders of the head E, as shown. Thus formed, this knocker or stop-block can be slipped upon the head E from one end of the track. Through the end portions of the nearly tubular portion of the stop-block setscrews b are inserted and made to bear against or enter shallow sockets in the bottom of the It is preferable to have them simply bind against said head. With this construction the stop-block can be set at any desired point along the track and confined.

here stop-blocks are fastened to the under side of the track by rivets, extra mechanical labor and weakening of the track follow; or where they are held on by independent clamps extra expense is involved and interference with the wheels traveling on the track is experienced; or where it is attached to the top of the track extra clamps are required, and also long arms, which extend from the lock of the carrier below, up and around the track, and there is liability of the same being broken or bent out of shape. The stop-block and its position is one of the most essential parts of an elevator outfit, its purpose being to hold the elevator and carrier in position while elevating the load from the wagon and to engage and disengage the fork, pulley, and hook to and from the lock in the carrier.

It will be readily seen that by means of the additional web and head on the under side of the track and the construction of the stopblock, with flanges extending upwardly and inwardly, corresponding to the form of'the lower head, a very perfect means of con-nection is provided, the same allowing of the block being moved along to any desired point on the track, and of passing joints made by connecting sections of track as readily as any part of the track, it meeting with no obstruction whatever. The lower part of the stopblock may be of any style, but the upper part must be constructed substantially as described.

lVhat I claim as my invention is 1. In a suspended hay-carrier track formed of a single line of rails, the combination with the rail having a vertical web, and upper and lower heads for attaching hangenhooks and knocker-blocks, and broad intermediate horizontal flanges for the wheels of a hay-carrier to run upon, of a knocker-block made in a single piece, and having end extensions right and left of the stop proper of the knockerblock, and elevated upturned lips on its side edges; said lips forming a passage which allows the knocker-block to be slipped upon the lower head of the rail; and with confining means whereby the knocker-block is secured in position and is made adjustable 011 the lower head, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. A stop-block or knocker for a hay-carrier track, constructed with extensions right and left of the stop proper, and with upwardly and inwardly curved flanges or lips, and adapted to he slipped upon the lower head of the track-rail and to be fastened in position by set-screws bearing against or slightly entering the under side of the trackrail, in combination with the track-rail havin g an upper head and a lower head, a vertical web and intermediate flanges on which the wheels of the carrier run, and with suspending means, substantially as described.

3. A single-piece knocker-block applied upon the lower head of the rail below the flanges on which the wheels of the hay-carrier run, and held in position against vertical movement by lips or flanges and against longitudinal movement by fastening means which enter a slight distance beyond the surface of the metal of the rail, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

J OSEPH E. PORTER. Witnesses GEORGE W. YENT'ZER, J. O. HARRIs. 

